Perhaps an included link would have helped. A few might bother to go to your profile to find a web link, but ...

Ray

Oooh, please sir, me sir! It may be a mnemonic device, but it's actually an acronym.

Ray

George - I do wish that you'd stop sitting on the fence the whole time!

Ray

I'd say that a decent flashgun is a must for such an occasion, which you also seem, in part, to recognise. However, I wouldn't be happy going on such a commissioned shoot with a brand-new gun - it will take some time and practice in order that you can "set it and forget it," or know what requires its inclusion in a shot (forgive me if you already know this sort of info).

Let's say that the recovery of legitimate expenses is a given. Get and keep receipts and be prepared to submit an Invoice. If he will declare this as an expense, then you must do the same. I'd do it anyway, in case some disgruntled soul reports your engagement to HMC&R - you did say that you "never know where it might lead" and this is another possibility you might not have considered.

"Mates' rates" are a slippery slope, IMO. What I've done in the past with similar enquiries (both in photography and cabinet-making) is to suggest that the enquirer gets a couple of professional quotes first - at least he'll see what sort of area he's batting in. Once you know the amounts, you'll then have some idea where to pitch in that region. Too close to the pro's means you might need insurance in case it goes really Pete Tong. Too cheap may mean that any future recommendations you get will have to cope with that price precedent already having been set.

That should be enough to get the discussion started!

Ray

Here be your first lesson, me hearties!

Ray

Whatever reason the cat was there, it's certainly in very good nick!

Ray

It seems to me that most forums go through stages and this one is no different. A while back there were a lot of feathers ruffled (mine included) by a particularly selfish, demanding and thoughtless poster, who finally desisted and who we rarely hear from now.

Since the re-design, the post count has increased dramatically and it is easy to forget the strong (vociferous, even) views held on the wisdom (or otherwise) of the design change. Most gainsayers are still here, however.

I am still annoyed and frustrated by some of the threads and posts, but I believe that the "pros" of the forum still outweigh the "cons" by such a large factor, that it's worth maintaining my daily visits.

Ray

I was at the Eridge Heavy Horse Show yesterday (26th. July, 2009) when I grabbed this shot of one visitor who wasn't interested in the show ring at all!

K10D, DA 18-250 at 250, ISO 100 at 1/180th., F6.3, multi-segmented metering.

Ray.

[quote="Sdeve"]This abuse is happening every single day somewhere in this country.

The police, as an organisation, here are administratively, and IMO, morally, corrupt. They will routinely abuse any law to suit their purpose. [/quote]So, your fanatical, unevidenced opinions and your other rantings should be taken notice of because ....... ?

I'd not heard of Elliott Erwitt, Pauly, so thanks for the info. I must look for the book you mention. Love the picture, BTW.

Ray.